AK Magazines - what's best?

[QNman]

I just purchased my first AK - a Yugo underfolder M70AB2. I haven't actually received it yet, so no pics or reports on firing yet. However, I will need more magazines for it.

What should I look for?

Are the surplus ones alright?

I understand some don't lock the bolt open when empty - how do I know which are which?

Will Romanian double-stack mags work in my Yugo AK?

What about the plastic mags I've seen advertise - are they any good?

Thanks to all in advance, and looking forward to participating in the AK club.

[MrBruceWayne]

What should I look for?
any ComBloc will work fine

Are the surplus ones alright?
sure, so long as the follower isn't stuck. The steel mags just require proper lubrication in order to prevent rust...they're easy enough to perform maitenance on-should last forever

I understand some don't lock the bolt open when empty - how do I know which are which?
the Yugo mags have a tab, I believe that actuates the BHO

Will Romanian double-stack mags work in my Yugo AK?
Sure will

What about the plastic mags I've seen advertise - are they any good?]
Stay away from the domestic-produced Promags..they are hit-or-miss
Any Bulgarian produced plasic mags will work great...I picked up a bunch of the Bulgarian "Bullet" mags from Centerfire Systems for $10.95 a mag.

[whistler52]

I have three M70AB2's. The mag wells in each gun are a little different - the famous AK loose tolerances I guess. I've tried several different types of magazines. Here's my experience:

Hungarian 20-rounders - great magazines. I really like the 20-round size and the quality of these mags. However, they don't fit my Yugo's that well. Of the 17 I have, only 10 will fit into all 3 rifles. Can probably be modified to fit though.

Yugo BHO 30-rounders - best fitting magazine. Not necessarily the best magazine, just the best fitting magazine for my Yugo's. All 24 fit fine. Not surprising that Yugo mags would fit well in Yugo rifles.

Bulgarian waffle 30-rounders (polymer). These are a pretty tight fit, but all 17 do fit in all 3 rifles. Advantages are that they are new, don't rust, and don't dent. Don't be put off by the polymer, these are really tough mags. Try to get the waffle mags instead of the slabside with bullets molded into them. The waffle mags are mil spec. Stay away from US made waffle mags.

Surplus 30-round Soviet bloc steel mags - good mags. Mine all look almost new. Life is too short to spend it cleaning up rusty mags. Only 1 didn't fit.

[USDefender]

Any 7.62 x 39 mags work well in my M70. However, I prefer the Yugos for their 'bolt hold-open' ability.

[B Coyote]

I'm extremely happy with the Bulgarian Waffle Mags I bought earlier this year. Flawless feeding and less weight than the steel mags.

bc

[Glockdude1]

Any 7.62 x 39 mags work well in my M70. However, I prefer the Yugos for their 'bolt hold-open' ability.

The bolt is held open, until you remove the magazine. The bolt slams shut. Some shooters new to Yugo AK's, think they work like AR mags, in which the bolt stays open even after you remove the magazine.

:supergrin: